January 2, 1988

Michigan 28, Alabama 24

For the first time in history Alabama and Michigan squared-off on the gridiron for the 2nd Hall of Fame Bowl. Offensive coordinator Gary Moeller was given the task of preparing the Wolverines for the game after Bo Schembechler was sidelined after undergoing heart bypass surgery.

The game featured two outstanding running backs as Michigan's Jamie Morris and Bama's Bobby Humphrey led their teams attacks. After Michigan took a 21-3 lead on three Morris TD runs, including a 77-yard jaunt, Humphrey and the Crimson Tide would return the favor with three unanswered scores of their own.

The Tide took the lead 24-21 with just under five minutes remaining with Humphrey's second TD of the day. But Michigan was not through yet. Facing a fourth-and-three from the Bama 20-yard line with just 50 seconds remaining, Wolverine QB Demetrius Brown lofted a pass to the corner of the end zone finding a diving John Kolesar for the game winning touchdown. It surprised everyone, not only because they didn't go for the first down, but because Michigan had only completed 5 of 16 passes to that point.

The game remains as not only one of the most exciting bowls to date, but the most successful rushing day by two players. Morris ended the day with 23 carries for 234 yards and 3 TDs, and Humphrey had 149 yards on 27 carries and 2 TDs. Twelve games later there are still 14 bowl records that stand from that momentous game.